Blog Tour: Finding Serenity by Eden Butler

Mollie Malone's mom skipped out on her. Her biker dad, always loose and easy with the law, still was able to make her feel loved, and to keep her safe. But thirteen years ago, when his luck finally ran out and he landed in prison, Mollie found herself a new family - a group of friends in the sleepy little college town of Cavanagh, Tennessee, where now they all attend the local university. These girls know about the rotten roots of her family tree but accept her anyway, and the bond between them is so strong and supportive that Mollie is finally able to see past graduation to a future that is bright and secure.

But sometimes the past doesn't stay buried.

Suddenly, inexplicably, there's a shadow behind every step Mollie takes. Someone is lurking in that shadow, threatening not only Mollie, but also the new family she has claimed for herself.

And it isn’t just the past that has Mollie’s life in upheaval. Hunky former Marine Vaughn Winchester - who Mollie really would like to get to know much better - thinks Mollie is just a kid; he's made it clear she wouldn't ever be able to understand the demons haunting him. But if that's what he believes, then why does he keep sticking his nose in her business? And if he thinks she’s such a kid, why does he keep trying to kiss her?

Vaughn’s mind games are frustrating, especially since Mollie knows enough about secrets to be convinced that there's something he isn’t telling her, something he's so far been able to keep hidden. But when that secret is revealed, Mollie is forced into a situation that tests her loyalty and threatens even her closest friendships - just when the shadow of her past returns, and she's going to need them the most.

4 Star Review by Jen Skewes

Finding Serenity is the second book in the Seeking Serenity series. We first met Mollie in Chasing Serenity, the first installment.

Mollie grew up with her biker father and while most people would say that is no life for a child, there was no doubt how much her father loved her. she always felt loved, protected and safe with her father. She loved him just as much. It was just her and her dad and their biker family, until he was arrested and she was forced to go live with her mother and sister. Mollie is the complete opposite of her mother and sister. Her mother left her and her father, taking her sister with her. She didn't like the lifestyle that he lived and wanted nothing to do with it, so she left. Mollie and her mother never had a relationship and even now that she is living with her there is still no connection there at all. The only people that she can actually rely on are her three best friends whom she met when she moved to live with her mom. Her closest friend is Layla. She has three amazing friends who completely make up for her shitty relationship with her mother.

Mollie meets Vaughn Winchester, when her and friends are competing in the Dash. Vaughn is a sexy former Marine who Mollie wants to get to know better. And while Mollie seems to think that there is something there between them, she finds out how completely wrong she may be. Vaughn thinks of her as a little kid and makes it very clear that he has no intention of being with her. Vaughn knows nothing about Mollie or what she has experienced throughout her life. But regardless he has no intentions of being with her. But what confuses Mollie is no matter how much he says that he does not want to be with her he certainly seems to care. Someone is out to get Mollie and after each incident that occurs Vaughn is right there making sure she is ok. The attraction between the two of them is there, they both feel it. But Vaughn is hiding something and that something is the reason why he cannot give into any feelings he may have where Mollie is concerned. He needs to push her away but at the same time protect her. Being with her will cloud his judgement, distract him and cause him to lose focus. Which can in turn hurt her. But staying away from someone who makes him feel the way Mollie does is not an easy task. Will Vaughn continue to push Mollie away to protect her or will he give in to his feelings?

Vaughn was sweet, caring, sexy and had his own demons and a past that has had an affect on who he is today. He is falling for Mollie no matter how hard he tries to convince himself that he isn't. But aside from having to protect her and keep her safe there is a part of him that feels that he is not worthy of being loved by someone like her. He feels like he is nothing more than a screwed up former Marine with a past. Mollie wants Vaughn but the truth of the matter is that she feels maybe she doesn't deserve him. In her mind she is the daughter of a biker, who happens to be in jail. These two could not be more perfect for each other. I loved them and wanted to see them work pat their issues and insecurities and be together.

Finding Serenity was a great read that had drama, suspense and two very lovable characters. I loved that Mollies best friends were very much a part of her story. And I especially loved that we got to see more of Declan, Oh how I love that man. Declan was the hero in the first book and his fiancé Autumn is one of Mollie's best friends. He loves Autumn and family is very important to him. He He was very protective of Mollie and I loved him for that. Another great book in a fantastic series.

Finding Serenity - Excerpts

“Right. Enough of the G.I. Joe bullshit.” She looks at Declan, then to Donovan. “Take him down, boys.” And in an instant, both men have wrestled Vaughn to the ground flat on his back. He begins to fight them, to get their hands and arms away from him, but the pain must strike him fast; his winces and low curses tell Mollie that the pain is cresting.
When she straddles his waist, Vaughn’s protests slow to mild complaints. Around them, the players back off, giving Mollie room to work.
“Fine.” His voice is nothing more than a growl, “but if you’re going to do this be sure you get your knee in…”
“Hey, Semper Fi, shut it.” Mollie’s bare legs move along his ribs, dragging his shirt with them so that her smooth skin slides against his body. She rests her hands on the ground around his head, hovering just above him. There’s a small blink of time where she catches Vaughn’s eyes and they stare at each other, their breaths heating between their open mouths. “I know what I’m doing so can the instructions.” Vaughn wets his lips, eyes drifting down to her chest which is only millimeters from his mouth before he focuses back at her face. “This isn’t my first time.”
Despite the pain and the awkward tension building in front of their small audience, Vaughn manages a smile. “Well, will you be gentle?”
“No.” Mollie climbs onto Vaughn’s chest, lifting her knee just below the dislocated shoulder. Before she pushes her leg up, she leans down, catching a whiff of his sweat-slick skin to whisper just above his mouth. “Baby, I’m always good, but I ain’t never gentle.”

Eden Butler is an editor and writer of New Adult Romance and SciFi and Fantasy novels and the nine-times great-granddaughter of an honest-to-God English pirate. This could explain her affinity for rule breaking and rum. Her debut novel, a New Adult, Contemporary (no cliffie) Romance, “Chasing Serenity” launched in October 2013 and quickly became an Amazon bestseller.

When she’s not writing or wondering about her possibly Jack Sparrowesque ancestor, Eden edits, reads and spends way too much time watching rugby, Doctor Who and New Orleans Saints football.

She is currently living under teenage rule alongside her husband in southeast Louisiana.